Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown leaves Queen's Park after a press conference in Toronto on Wednesday, January 24, 2018. Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown says he "categorically'' denies "troubling allegations'' about his conduct. A visibly emotional Brown said he was made aware of the allegations earlier on Wednesday, but he did not provide details on what those allegations are. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim

Ontario’s Opposition leader is stepping down amid allegations of sexual misconduct, dealing a severe blow to his party just months before the province heads to the polls.

Patrick Brown announced the decision in a statement issued early Thursday morning, following a hastily-called news conference in which the Progressive Conservative leader “categorically” denied what he called “troubling allegations” about his conduct and his character.

In the statement, Brown said that after consulting with caucus, friends and family, he decided to step down as leader but would stay on as a member of the provincial legislature to clear his name.

He said “these allegations are false and have been difficult to hear” and that defeating Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne in the upcoming provincial election is “more important than one individual.”

Brown’s political future as Ontario’s Opposition leader was thrown into turmoil Wednesday as the allegations of sexual misconduct levelled against him prompted calls for his resignation.

In his late-night news conference, a visibly emotional Brown said he was made aware of the allegations hours earlier, but did not provide details on what those allegations were. He said he would defend himself in the court of law.

“I can’t speculate on the motive of my accusers, I can only say that what they are saying is categorically untrue,” the 39-year-old politician said.

CTV News reported that two women have come forward with graphic sexual misconduct allegations against Brown that date back to when the Opposition leader was a federal MP. The broadcaster did not name the women, who alleged the incidents happened at Brown’s home in Barrie, Ont., after they had been drinking in his presence. Brown was not drinking at the time, the women told CTV News.

The report said one of the women, who is now 29, claimed she was still in high school when Brown allegedly asked her to perform oral sex on him.

The other woman said she was a university student working in Brown’s constituency office when he sexually assaulted her at his home after an event she helped organize, CTV News reported. The woman said she did not report the alleged incident to authorities.

CTV News said it had viewed records of correspondence between Brown and the women. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Politicians of all stripes were quick to weigh in, with the leader of Ontario’s New Democrats calling for Brown to step down.

“I’m disgusted and disturbed by these sexual misconduct allegations,” Andrea Horwath said in a statement. “Patrick Brown must resign, immediately. He deserves his day in court, but no person can lead a political party in this province with allegations like these hanging over his head.”

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne praised the women who made the allegations, saying on Twitter that it is “a difficult and brave thing to do to come forward in the way these young women have done tonight.”

Wynne said her government has made it clear that sexual assault and harassment are not to be tolerated but did not comment on Brown directly.

It's a difficult and brave thing to do to come forward in the way these young women have done tonight. My government and I have been clear on the issue of sexual harassment and assault. In fact our policy and our ad were called "It's Never Okay".

Even before Brown’s decision to resign, speculation began swirling as to who might replace him as PC leader should he step down. MacLeod, Christine Elliott and Caroline Mulroney were mentioned as possible candidates to take on Wynne in June.

Brown’s comments were also followed by a flurry of resignations from his top staff members, who said on Twitter they were stepping down over the leader’s handling of the situation.

“Earlier today, all three of us became aware of allegations about Patrick Brown. After speaking with him, our advice was that he should resign as PC Party leader. He did not accept that advice,” his chief of staff, deputy campaign manager and campaign manager said in a joint statement.

“Since our view is that this advice was in the best interest of the PC Party, we have therefore resigned our positions.”

Ontario PC deputy leaders Sylvia Jones and Steve Clark later issued a joint statement on the party’s website saying they “unanimously agree” that Brown cannot continue as leader. They said while Brown is entitled to due process, “he cannot lead us into an election.”

Jones and Clark said the PC caucus would “immediately consult with party officials and members on best way to move forward.”

Brown repeatedly denied the allegations against him and said he had instructed his lawyers to ensure that they are addressed in court.

He noted that “it’s never OK” for anyone to feel they have been a victim of sexual harassment or feel threatened in any way.

“I reject these accusation in the strongest possible terms,” Brown said. “This is not how I’m raised. This is not who I am.”

He did not take questions from reporters and left immediately after making his statement.

Brown has been leading in the polls as Ontario heads to a provincial election this summer.

He was first elected as federal MP in 2006 as part of the Conservative government after serving as a Barrie city councillor. He was re-elected twice, once in 2008 and again in 2011.

During his time in Ottawa, Brown served as a backbench MP in Stephen Harper’s government and has been frequently criticized by political opponents for voting in favour of reopening the abortion debate.

He won the PC leadership in 2015, beating long-time Ontario legislator and favourite Christine Elliott.

Since he has become party leader, Brown has attempted to broaden the appeal of his the party, going as far as to say social conservative issues were off-limits at the PC policy convention last fall.

Brown says he is pro-choice and more recently has led Pride parade delegations.
— With files from Shawn Jeffords and Alan Black

Text of resignation statement by Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown

“These allegations are false and have been difficult to hear.

“However, defeating Kathleen Wynne in 2018 is more important than one individual.

“For this reason, after consulting with caucus, friends and family I have decided to step down as Leader of the Ontario PC Party. I will remain on as a MPP while I definitively clear my name from these false allegations.

“Over the past three years I have led a major transformation of our party taking it from 12,000 to 200,000 members, fundraised more money than any provincial party in Canadian history, and recruited some of the most qualified and diverse candidates in the history of our party. I have developed a pragmatic and winning campaign platform after a historically comprehensive policy process.

“These important building blocks are essential for defeating Kathleen Wynne this year and her tired government that has repeatedly made reckless decisions and put insiders ahead of the people.

“I’m confident the president of our party and caucus will convene an expedited process to elect my successor who I look forward to working with.”

---

Text of original statement by Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown

Here is the text of Ontario Progressive Leader Patrick Brown’s statement to the media Wednesday night.

“Ladies and gentlemen.

A couple of hours ago, I learned of troubling allegations about my conduct and character.

I’m here tonight to address them.

First, I want to say: these allegations are false. Every one of them.

I will defend myself as hard as I can, with all the means at my disposal.

I can’t speculate on the motive of my accusers, I can only say they what they are saying is categorically untrue.

It’s never ok for anyone to feel they have been a victim of sexual harassment or feel threatened in any way.

Let me make this clear.

A safe and respectful society is what we expect and deserve.

We need to move forward to eradicate sexual violence and harassment across the province — across the country. Everywhere.

I know that the court of public opinion moves fast. I have instructed my attorneys to ensure that these allegations are addressed where they should be: in a court of law.

In short, I reject these accusation in the strongest possible terms.“

Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown at a glance

THE CANADIAN PRESS

A glance at the career of Ontario Progressive Leader Patrick Brown.

Brown was elected leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party on May 9, 2015, running on a platform of party renewal.

Was first elected to city council in Barrie, Ont., in 2000 at age 22, and re-elected three years later.

In 2006, Brown defeated incumbent Liberal cabinet minister Aileen Carroll in the federal election and became the MP for Barrie.

He was re-elected in 2008 and 2011.

Was vice-president of the PC Party of Ontario and served two terms as president of the Progressive Conservative Youth Federation.

Brown is an alumnus of St. Michael’s College School in Toronto and also studied at the University of Toronto and University of Windsor.

TORONTO — Allegations of sexual misconduct have been reported against Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown, who is emphatically denying the claims. Here are some of the responses to the situation.

———

“These allegations are false. Every one of them. I will defend myself as hard as I can, with all the means at my disposal. I can’t speculate on the motive of my accusers, I can only say they what they are saying is categorically untrue.”

“I know that the court of public opinion moves fast. I have instructed my attorneys to ensure that these allegations are addressed where they should be: in a court of law. In short, I reject these accusation in the strongest possible terms.” -Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown

———

“My thoughts are with the brave young women who have spoken out to describe horrible, degrading and unsafe experiences they say happened at the hands of Patrick Brown. I’m disgusted and disturbed by these sexual misconduct allegations. Patrick Brown must resign, immediately. He deserves his day in court, but no person can lead a political party in this province with allegations like these hanging over his head.” — Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

———

“It’s a difficult and brave thing to do to come forward in the way these young women have done tonight. My government and I have been clear on the issue of sexual harassment and assault. In fact our policy and our ad were called ’It’s Never Okay.”’ — Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

———

“Sexual misconduct and sexual harassment have no place in Canadian society, especially within our political system. I understand how difficult it can be to come forward under these circumstances. The allegations against the Leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives are extremely serious and should be fully investigated.” — Federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer

———

“Every citizen of Ontario deserves respect. Everyone has the right to be free from unwelcome behaviour or advances. I do not and will not tolerate abuse or harassment, and I will do everything in my power to fight against it. My heart goes out to the women who have been impacted by this behaviour. It takes courage to come forward and make these claims. These women deserve our support and thanks.” — Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod.

———

“Earlier today all three of us became aware of allegations against Patrick Brown. After speaking with him, our advice was that he should resign as PC Party leader. He did not accept that advice. Since our view is that this advice was in the best interest of the PC Party, we have therefore resigned our positions as, respectively, Campaign Manager, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Campaign Manager (Strategy).” — Joint statement from Andrew Boddington, Alykhan Velshi and Dan Robertson.

———

“This evening I learned of allegations against Patrick Brown. As a result, it is in the best interest of the PC Party that he step down immediately. As he has chosen to follow a different route, I am resigning as the PC Party Press Secretary.” — Nick Bergamini, former PC Party Press Secretary